Method to Estimate Center of Rigidity Using Vibration Recordings

Abstract

A method to estimate the center of rigidity of buildings by using vibration recordings is presented. The method is based on the criterion that the coherence of translational motions with the rotational motion is minimum at the center of rigidity. Since the coherence is a function of frequency, a gross but frequency‐independent measure of the coherency is defined as the integral of the coherence function over the frequency. The center of rigidity is determined by minimizing this integral. The formulation is given for two‐dimensional motions. Two examples are presented for the method; a rectangular building with ambient‐vibration recordings, and a triangular building with earthquake‐vibration recordings. Although the examples given are for buildings, the method can be applied to any structure with two‐dimensional motions.